The Challenge
Neglected diseases, such as Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and better known diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis affect millions of people in developing countries, but there are far too few drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tests to address these health challenges. Small or uncertain markets, along with other obstacles, have typically deterred investment in the research and development (R&D) needed to prevent and control these diseases.  

The Opportunity
Promising ideas are emerging to spur innovation, such as creating new financing streams, incentives for scientists and biopharma companies, changes in intellectual property arrangements and in regulatory institutions and practices. Funders and policymakers need top notch analysis to understand the most pressing barriers to innovation and whether these new ideas are suited to overcome them. To respond to this need, with grant support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, R4D is conducting rigorous reviews of innovative R&D policy proposals, and the emerging challenges for global health R&D. 

Our Work
The Center for Global Health R&D Policy Assessment conducts assessments based on extensive research and public consultations. Assessments include case studies and examinations of health product prizes, pooled funding proposals, patent pools, tax credits, and open collaboration approaches. New work focuses on understanding emerging challenges and opportunities in global health R&D, such whether and how emerging economies like India can develop R&D capacity and the extent to which there are unmet product needs for non-communicable diseases.

In addition, The Center engages key stakeholders to facilitate the uptake of promising ideas. The Center’s website features expert blogs, a directory of policy innovations, and a portfolio of our assessments.